"Wearing black to a wedding is a faux pas", - they say. But is that still a rule? For the past decades, when talking about the mother of the bride or mother of the groom's outfit colour, you would consider any possibility except two: white or black. What we can say is that this old-school etiquette is becoming outdated. And just as the brides and bridesmaids are now wearing different colours down the aisle, moms are also choosing dresses in any colour that suits them, including black.
But why was black once considered an inadequate choice for moms?
This colour has always been associated with grief and mourning, especially in European cultures - and is believed to date back to the Roman Empire. Moreover, it was also said to symbolize disapproval of the marriage and the child's partner's choice. Nowadays, black is the favourite colour to wear to formal events giving an air of sophistication and elegance.
So here we gather everything you need to know about wearing the perfect black dress for your child's big day.
First of all, you need to ask yourself simple (but essential) questions:
1. How does the bride feel about it?
The most important point is to ask the bride's opinion regarding this. Suppose she's like most brides and wouldn't consider that an issue, then absolutely go for it. But in case she disapproves, you can save the dress for another formal occasion and find a different colour for the wedding. Maybe go for a Navy Blue, a Merlot shade or even a dark Emerald Green?
2. Is the dress festive enough?
If the dress could double as any casual attire, you better skip it. Instead, make sure that it's a black party dress. Again, try to go for different cuts, unique fabrics or any detail that makes it singular.
3. Is the dress appropriate for the venue, time of year, and time of day?
Suppose they're getting married in a garden on a Sunday morning in January. In that case, you should probably pick something floral to lift up the darker colour.
If you found your classy and chic black dress but are still not 100% secure about it, we have some tips to make it lighter and appropriate for each occasion.
- You can try choosing a V-neck or one-shoulder neckline since it reveals more skin near your face and creates a nice contrast for the photos.
- An embellished neckline, shoulder or even full beaded dress adds sparkles and elevates the outfit. It looks beautiful for black-tie occasions and night weddings.
- Add some gold or silver accessories to break a bit of the dark colour.
- Who said it needs to be entirely black? Printed or lace options are great to make it fresher and lighter.
You will always look your best in Montique! For more fashion tips or information on our dresses and products, contact us at customerservice@intermoda.com.au to be in touch with our customer service team, or shop our new arrivals now!
